9/1/2011 - update

As Greg reported in the last blog we are very relieved that we will be able to go ahead with surgery tomorrow.  It was looking unlikely for a while.  This news along with my mandatory "away time" has left me feeling much better than I did yesterday.

Last night Sam had the heated coil on his CPAP and this helped tremendously.  No more panicked waking because of condensation spiting at him.  The halter being further cut has also helped his ears quite a bit.  They are still very tender, but it is definitely better.  I am  really grateful that we will not have to do this any longer after tomorrow.  I was not sure how much longer I could stand to put him through this.  I also later got to view the MRI that Greg saw this morning and the difference is really pretty remarkable.  It was helpful to be able to see what the last week has accomplished.

While I am so relieved and grateful, it is starting to settle in that now we face the major surgery.  Sam is glad that we are going to be done with traction, but he admits to being scared of what to expect, both waking up from the surgery and recovery, and what it will be like with his neck fused.  After talking it through a little, we are making sure he knows how many people are praying for him, our confidence in the care he is being provided, and beyond that trying to help him pass the day as easily as we can.

I have been made aware of the fact that there are many, many people praying for us.  While I began this blog to let my friends and family to let them know what was happening, so many of them have passed on the link to friends and prayer groups.  To those of you who don't even know us but are praying for us, I thank you and praise God for your compassion.  A pastor at my church preached a very meaningful service soon before we left.  He covered a good portion of Philippians 1.  The following verse sticks out when I think of everyone who has been in prayer for us.

Philippians 1:19  - for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

In short I know that the prayers of God's people has encouraged us in such a way that our family has been able to have courage and remain standing as the good will of God is worked out in our lives.  Thank you for keeping us lifted up.

Please join us in our praise that we can go to surgery tomorrow and our prayers that it will be as conservative as possible, and that Sam would maintain as much neck mobility as possible.  Also, please pray that Sam would feel an unfathomable peace for this next part of the journey, and that his burden would not be heavy.  Thanks again.